James P. Alder

James P. Alder is an attorney at Alder Law Group whose practice focuses on estate planning and related planning needs. His work includes trusts, probate, trust administration, asset protection trusts, special needs planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, and guardianship. He helps individuals and families organize legal and financial arrangements for incapacity, aging, asset management, and the transfer of property through carefully structured planning documents and legal processes.

James earned a B.A. from Utah State University in 1993 and graduated from the J. Reuben Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University in 1997. He later earned an LL.M. in Environmental and Natural Resource Law from the University of Utah in 2001. His education provides legal research and planning experience that supports work involving trusts, probate administration, elder-law concerns, and long-term family planning.

James has developed a practice that addresses estate planning across different stages of life. His work includes planning for people with disabilities, advising on Medicaid-related concerns, administering trusts and estates, and helping families address guardianship issues. His service reflects a particular connection to aging and Alzheimer’s-related concerns through organizations and state initiatives focused on the needs of people affected by dementia.

James P. Alder has served as president and board member of the Alzheimer’s Association Utah Chapter and has provided legal counsel to the organization. He was appointed to Utah’s State Alzheimer’s Task Force in 2011 and later to the State Alzheimer’s Plan Coordination Council. He is a member of the Salt Lake Estate Planning Council and participates in Utah State Bar sections related to estate planning and elder law.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Alder Law Group
• Member, Utah State Bar
• Member, Utah Bar’s Estate Planning Section
• Member, Utah Bar’s Elder Law Section
• Board Member and President of the Board of Directors and Legal Counsel, Alzheimer’s Association Utah Chapter
• Board Member, Kostopulos Dream Foundation (2011-2015)
• Appointed Member, State Alzheimer’s Task Force
• Member, State Alzheimer’s Plan Coordination Council
• Member, Salt Lake Estate Planning Council

Licensed State

• Utah

Education

• University of Utah
  Master of Laws (LLM) in Environmental and Natural Resource Law
• Utah State University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges